Moving With Change: The Practice

Moving With Change

October has a way of reminding us that change is not something we can stop.

The leaves change. The light changes. The temperature changes. What once felt rooted and steady begins to shift, slowly and sometimes all at once.

And yet, as human beings, we often resist the very thing nature does so naturally.

Change can feel uncomfortable. It can feel disruptive. Sometimes it feels downright unfair.

But what if the invitation isn’t to love every change that comes our way?

What if the invitation is simply to learn how to move with it?

Pause before you react

One of the most powerful things we can learn is how to pause.

Not every change requires an immediate response.

Sometimes we need a moment to notice what is happening before deciding what it means.

When something shifts, our first instinct might be to tighten, resist, fix, control, or go back to what was familiar.

The pause gives us another option.

We can breathe.

We can notice.

We can ask ourselves:

What is actually happening here?

What am I feeling?

What am I afraid might happen?

And perhaps most importantly:

Do I need to respond right now?

That small space between what happens and what we do next can change everything.

Pivot when the path changes

Sometimes the pause reveals that the direction we were headed simply isn’t working anymore.

That’s where the pivot comes in.

Pivoting doesn’t mean giving up.

It doesn’t mean that everything you have done before was wrong.

It means you are paying attention.

Maybe the plan needs to change.

Maybe your priorities have changed.

Maybe your body is asking for something different.

Maybe the version of your life that once fit you no longer does.

There is wisdom in being willing to turn.

We can remain rooted in who we are without remaining rigid about how we thought our lives were supposed to look.

That distinction matters.

Roots provide stability, but they don’t prevent a tree from moving.

Adapt with awareness

Adaptation isn’t about constantly changing ourselves to fit whatever is happening around us.

It’s about becoming aware enough to recognize when something needs to shift.

Sometimes the change is external.

Sometimes it’s internal.

And sometimes we don’t know yet whether the change in front of us is a problem, an opportunity, or simply something we need to move through.

That is where curiosity can become a powerful practice.

Instead of immediately asking,

“How do I stop this?”

we might ask,

“What might this be asking of me?”

Or even:

“Could there be something here that I haven’t considered yet?”

That doesn’t mean pretending difficult change is good.

It doesn’t mean forcing gratitude where there isn’t any.

And it certainly doesn’t mean that every unexpected turn is secretly a blessing.

It simply means staying open enough to discover what is possible.

What if some change is welcome?

This may be the part we overlook.

We talk so much about coping with change that we sometimes forget to notice when change is actually something we have been waiting for.

A new opportunity.

A different way of living.

A relationship that evolves.

A boundary that finally gets honored.

A habit that no longer serves us falling away.

A door opening that we didn’t even know we wanted.

Sometimes we are so attached to keeping things familiar that we don’t recognize welcome change when it arrives.

So this October, perhaps we can practice noticing.

Not just what is changing around us, but what is changing within us.

What are you ready to release?

Where are you being asked to pause?

Where might you need to pivot?

What have you been resisting simply because it is unfamiliar?

And is there a change coming into your life that, if you allowed yourself to be curious about it, might actually be welcome?

Moving with change

There is a difference between being swept away by change and learning to move with it.

Moving with change means staying connected to your foundation while remaining willing to adjust your direction.

It means pausing long enough to become aware.

Pivoting when something no longer fits.

Adapting without abandoning yourself.

And becoming curious about what might be possible on the other side of what you thought was supposed to happen.

This is part of alignment, too.

Alignment isn’t about finding one perfect position and staying there forever.

Life moves.

We move.

Our bodies change. Our relationships change. Our priorities change. Our dreams change.

And sometimes, the most aligned thing we can do is recognize that we need to change with them.

So as October unfolds, notice what is shifting.

You don’t have to figure it all out.

You don’t have to rush to make sense of it.

Pause.

Breathe.

Get curious.

Then, when you’re ready, take the next step.

You may discover that the change you were trying so hard to resist is actually inviting you into something new.

orange leaves about to fall
Photo by K on Pexels.com

Alignment

When you hear the word alignment, what comes to mind? The dictionary defines alignment as arrangement in a straight line, or in correct or appropriate relative positions or  a position of agreement or alliance. This can mean a multitude of things as it relates to decisions we make, how we conduct ourselves, and even how we literally move our bodies in space.

To be “out of alignment” can be simply understood as an arrangement in which two or more things are not positioned correctly in a straight line or parallel to each other. In Yoga we hear a lot about the body being in alignment, but can that statement also relate to how you show up in the world?

Living Alignment

Remember last month I asked you to determine what makes up the roots or foundation that sustains you when life gets hard? Now it is time to put the proof in the pudding and see if your words, thoughts, and actions are in alignment with that.

Let’s say that integrity is a value you hold as something that keeps you steady. Then your actions dictate otherwise; you mislead people, you are a doormat for others to mislead you, you often fudge or hide the truth, or possibly you make decisions that are anything but ones packed with integrity. Simply thinking, if you say being healthy is important to you and you consume crappy food and toxic media, it is probable you are out of alignment with what you say you find important.

Alignment in Yoga

If you have been paying attention for long you may notice that I am big believer in living yoga and not just practicing yoga. I believe that far more of the yoga principles are implemented off the mat (or chair) and teach this all the time. The shape our bodies create while practicing is just a small part of it.

In Yoga, the principle of Alignment is closely related to principles like: balance, symmetry, precision and harmony – all are fundamental principles in yoga practice. Iyengar Yoga is the practice of precision. Poses are held for long periods and often modified with props. This method is designed to systematically cultivate strength, flexibility, stability, and awareness, and can be therapeutic for specific conditions. B.K.S. Iyengar, an Indian teacher and guru, founded Iyengar Yoga. Iyengar says:

Alignment is to bring balance between the flow of energy and intelligence to connect the body to the mind.” And then, he says “We adjust not the body, but the awareness. The moment the awareness is brought to function, then the body finds its right alignment and adjusts; as water finds its level, the awareness, too, finds its level.”

Having Awareness

Practicing yoga on the mat (or in chair) is a sure way to bring awareness to the language your body speaks. It invites you to pay close attention the nuances of the shape your body is in. It encourages you to listen and make adjustments along the way.

Imagine having this type of awareness in the thoughts you have? Or the words that you speak? How about the actions (or lack of) that you do everyday?

Putting the principles of alignment into your daily life following the “practice” will integrate the principles of this beautiful lifestyle into your life.

Join me on Youtube this month as I walk you through a weekly practice of alignment. There I will suggest ways to align yourself with what you said keeps you steady.

The Greatest Gift of Alignment

We have all had that magical feeling when everything in our life is flowing well. Our relationships are easy and fulfilling and we feel balanced. Or, when it seems that everything we attempt becomes a success. When life feels “easy” and we are rarely agitated by everyday things, it is likely we are in alignment. You might say it is as if you are in the beautiful flow of life where a gentle reciprocity exists in all areas.

This is the divine alignment. You are in it.